One of the biggest questions asked by our parents is, How do I teach music to my homeschooler?

Music is another elective that must be covered every year but does not need to be a formal course. Some choose a research method; others use music lessons; and still others use their children’s involvement in music activities.

Some great suggestions:

Piano or other instrument lessons
Voice lessons
Involvement in a children’s or youth choir
Participation in a musical
Music appreciation activities (focus on an artist, his work, time period, other similar artists, etc.)
Study of a specific genre (classical, jazz, opera, etc.)
Field trips to concerts, musicals, or other music events (check out your local college or university for terrific music events)
Study of a specific instrument
Music is a wonderful tool that has been proven to impact the development of the brain. I encourage you to put some real time and effort into exposing your child to a variety of music activities before the age of nine.

According to research studies, children will have developed their capacity for music by the age of nine. This does not mean they will not progress after the age of nine, but that the foundations that have been laid by that time will define how far they will progress.

In most states, students must complete a formal music course sometime between grades 7 & 12. You can purchase a formal music course through a homeschool curriculum provider or provide formal music lessons in order to fulfill this requirement._________________Jessica L. Parnell: http://jessica-parnell.com
Bridgeway Homeschool Academy: http://homeschoolacademy.com

My husband plays piano and guitar and I'm quite jealous of him. This year, both my DS and I will both take instrument lessons. Hopefully I will learn enough to begin initial musical instruction with my younger child and any future children I may have._________________Mom to John (8yo) and Hanna (19mo)

I live in an area where music is not stressed by the Public schools, Private schools, or home schoolers. I offered violin and viola lessons and tried to start a beginning orchestra. I even went to all the private schools in the area and sent notes home with the students offering these lessons. There was just no interest by anyone. I found that most people just skip over it. It isn't required in NC so they figure why bother. The people I have actually spoken with said that they didn't feel like music was important in their child's life and that taking music lessons would either not be worth the money or interrupt their child's sports schedule. I really thought this was sad!

My kids take music! I teach them music theory and violin/viola lessons. Both of them are also taking piano this year from their Grandmother. I have been blessed with a very musical family so my kids don't get a choice. They can pick a different instrument if they want but they have to learn to read music, that is my only real requirement.

In most states, students must complete a formal music course sometime between grades 7 & 12.

Jessica, I have not found this to be true at all for homeschoolers. Even if "fine arts" or "music" is listed as needing to be taught, there is not a definition of the extent to which it must be taught.

It isn't that I don't think music is important or valuable, but IMHO it just isn't accurate to say that "most states" require a "formal" music course to be taught._________________Married to Mr. Ellie for over 30 years
Mother to 2 dds and 2 dsil
Grandmother to 1 sweet boy
Caretaker of 2 budgies

That's sad that no one in your area finds music important. There are several studies which show children involved with music lessons do better academically. Nonetheless, the studies may have been biased since parents who can afford music lessons probably can afford more learning opportunities anyway. But who knows?

Our DD takes piano lessons and guitar lessons. She also takes several dance classes and acting classes as well as team sports depending on the season. When there's conflicts, music wins out.....unless it's soccer since my DH is British.

NCMom,
since parents who can afford music lessons probably can afford more learning opportunities anyway.

I agree with you on this but in this case it was not excuse for the parents around me. I don't charge that much. I charge between 7 and 10 a lesson and the orchestra was free as part of the lessons. Most music teachers I have talked to charge between 15 and 25 a lesson. I wanted to make it affordable for almost anyone so I chose to charge far less than those teachers. I just felt like a string program would be a nice option for the kids in my area since there are none offered in any of the schools that I know of. OH well. I still offer lessons but I have still yet to find a student here. We'll see though maybe this year will be different. I figure there has to be some kids or adults around me somewhere interested I just haven't found them yet.

My oldest son (12) has expressed a desire to learn violin. I know virtually nothing about strings, as I am a flautist/oboist. Maybe I'll teach him to read music first and then find your Indiana counterpart.

4given--You should have no problem locating a good (inexpensive) teacher there. I lived in IL before we moved here and I taught lessons as a senior in High School to beginners. I always had students! If your area has a string program at the schools then I recommend checking your local high school or asking the orchestra director if he knows of a good teacher. Also, if you have a symphony orchestra you can check with them. My first teacher was a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. I hope if he decides to try the violin that you find a good teacher!

A little off the subject but my sister plays flute/piccolo. She and I used to play at church together with our mother on the piano all the time. I wish she was closer now so we could still play together but she lives in ST. Louis, MO now and I am pretty sure that 900 miles is a little bit to commute just to play together again.

ncmom - Have you tried going the virtual instruction route? I know there are places online that offer great music instruction. Usually the students have to be older than 13 because it's online video classes, but they are well worth looking into if your DD is wanting to get into music more.